How to remove the FullTab Movie browser hijacker?

FullTab Movie browser hijacker removal instructions

What is FullTab Movie?

FullTab Movie is a piece of rogue software, classified as a browser hijacker. Following successful infiltration, browser hijackers modify browser settings in order to promote fake search engines. FullTab Movie sometimes makes changes to browsers in order to promote tailsearch.com, yet it does not always operate in this manner. Additionally, FullTab Movie spies on users' browsing habits. Due to the dubious techniques used to distribute this browser hijacker, it is also considered to be a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).

Browser hijackers primarily target popular browsers with large user bases. This software reassigns browsers' homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake web searchers. This may be the mode of operation for FullTab Movie as well. Hence, in some cases, with FullTab Movie installed: every new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar - redirect to tailsearch.com. Fake search engines are rarely capable of providing search results, so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) legitimate ones. The tailsearch.com web searcher is not an exception to this, it redirects to the Google (google.com) search engine. Browser hijackers can also reset any changes users attempt to make to their browsers and/or restrict/deny access to the browser's settings. Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser can be impossible - without removing the software affecting it. As mentioned in the introduction, FullTab Movie has data tracking abilities. It can monitor users' browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), likewise seeking to misuse it for profit. To summarize, presence of data-tracking content on browsers/systems can result in financial losses, severe privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	FullTab Movie
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	FullTab Movie
Promoted URL	tailsearch.com
Serving IP Address (tailsearch.com)	104.27.146.124
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. ▼ Download Malwarebytes To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.

ConverterSearchNow, Jolly Web and PDFSearchz are a few examples of other browser hijackers. They typically appear legitimate and harmless. Browser hijackers tend to offer a wide variety of "useful" features (e.g. easy access tools to specific online content). However, despite how good the advertised functionalities may sound - they are seldom operational. In fact, this applies to practically all PUAs. The sole purpose of unwanted software is to generate revenue at user expense. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can hijack browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns and collect private information.

How did FullTab Movie install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed via download/installation setups of other programs. "Bundling" is the term used to define this false marketing method of pre-packing ordinary software with unwanted or malicious additions. By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. by ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) - users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices. Select PUAs have "official" promotional webpages, from which they can be downloaded. Intrusive adverts proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked on, they can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

All software products should be researched prior to download/installation. It is advised to only download from official and verified sources. Since untrustworthy download channels, e.g. unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - commonly offer harmful and/or bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads appear legitimate, however they redirect to unreliable and dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on). Should users encounter such advertisements and/or redirects, users must inspect their devices and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with FullTab Movie, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

FullTab Movie browser hijacker asking for various permissions:

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Malwarebytes By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.

Quick menu:

• What is FullTab Movie?
• STEP 1. Uninstall FullTab Movie application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove FullTab Movie browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove tailsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove tailsearch.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
• STEP 6. Remove tailsearch.com redirect from Internet Explorer.

FullTab Movie browser hijacker removal:

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

Windows XP users:

Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.

Windows 10 and Windows 8 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Mac OSX users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "FullTab Movie"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the tailsearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

FullTab Movie browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "FullTab Movie" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "FullTab Movie", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.tailsearch.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "tailsearch.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the tailsearch.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "FullTab Movie", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "FullTab Movie", remove hxxp://tailsearch.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with tailsearch.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the tailsearch.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://tailsearch.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "FullTab Movie".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the tailsearch.com redirect, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove tailsearch.com redirect from your Internet browsers, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.

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